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Just say no to your ATM screen
By Moryt Milo
I slide my ATM card into the Wells Fargo machine, going through my usual routine of withdrawing cash. I wait for the familiar sound of all systems go, when suddenly everything hits hold and a long message pops up. I battle the glare on the screen to read the question, "Are you interested in learning more about a home equity loan or auto loan with no points?"
"Are you kidding?!" I say to myself. Suddenly we have spam on the ATM. From out of nowhere my time is being jammed and my transaction is being delayed. So I hit the "no" arrow quicker than you can yank your hand off a hot stove and listen for the sound of my money to be sorted.
As I unlock my car, I begin to wonder. What if I had said yes and someone was standing behind me waiting to make a transaction. How long would that take? I decide to go back to the ATM machine early the next morning and see what happens.
Once again I insert my card, requesting a withdrawal. Sure enough, before the machine is willing to part with my money it queries me if I want more information about a no-points loan. As I hit the "yes" key, I realize I've just put myself in jeopardy. I have foolishly agreed to let some telemarketing guerrilla call me to discuss the matter further. I walk away, cash in hand, thinking that was one of the stupidest things I have ever done.
Now that I have activated the "yes" button, I'm even more bothered by the whole thing. I can't help but feel this is yet another invasion of my personal time and space. It seems to me that most people who use the ATM do so because it is quick. If they wanted information, or had time to kill, they would go inside the bank and wait for customer service. I can't imagine that people queuing up to use an ATM machine want anything more then to make a deposit, know their available funds, or take out cash.
So, who came up with this latest brainstorm and where is it leading? In all likelihood, somewhere in the future these machines will do everything except shine your shoes, but do we want virtual-vending machines? And if we do, they better put in a bank of these babies, or the lines outside the bank will be as long as they are inside.
But I think the issue goes beyond what these machines do. It's really a question of choice. What disturbs me is that I am required to answer something, that doesn't interest me in the least, before I can get on with my business. It's not supposed to work that way. If I want a home equity loan--or any loan, for that matter--let me decide when and where to seek it out. Which has me wondering, "What next?"
I imagined myself innocently punching in my PIN only to be asked, "Do you want stamps?"
"No, I'll go to the post office, thank you."
Or maybe it will say, "Do you want tickets for the theater?"
"No, I can't find a baby sitter for this weekend!"
Or perhaps it will get really annoying and ask, " Do you want us to review your auto insurance?" Or really personal and say, "How about a review of your 401(k) portfolio?"
To all of which I say, "Heck, no! I just want my gosh darn 40 dollars, thank you!"
This is what concerns me. Are these Orwellian machines going to require my cooperation? And if I refuse, will I then be faced with the fatal line, "Your transaction has been canceled"?
These machines remind me of those relentless telemarketers who call and don't take no for an answer. Fortunately, answering machines can combat that problem--and you better believe I will be screening mine after hitting that "yes" key. But the solution to this problem doesn't look as simple.
So, here's a thought. Maybe we'll eventually have the ability do all our banking online, including the ability to withdraw funds straight to our LaserJet. Okay, I know, they have to figure out the whole counterfeiting problem. But if they ever do, just think of the control us everyday folks could have.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
